Mixed numbers are those that include a number and a fraction, such as 5 1/2. When they are converted to fractions, they create improper fractions. That 5 1/2 becomes 11/2. Mixed numbers and improper fractions can be difficult concepts for some students. Using hands-on activities in the classroom can help students learn how to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa.

Cut Pizza

Pizza is a good prop for teaching fractions. Most kids love pizza, and they are used to dealing with it in fractions since a typical slice is 1/8 of the pizza. While it may not be practical to bring real pizza into the classroom, you can instruct students to make their own pizzas out of construction paper. Each student should make at least two pizzas. Tell students to cut the pizzas into the number of slices that correspond to the fractions you want to focus on for the lesson, such as four slices for fourths. Give students a mixed number, such as 1 1/4, and ask them to collect the number of fourths that would be needed to make the number. The number of pieces is the top number, or numerator, in the fraction.

Play Ball

Ball play can also be a fun way to learn fractions. Each ball can represent the unit of the fraction. For example, if you are working with fifths, each ball would be 1/5. Like with the pizza, give students a number in that unit, such as 3 1/5. Tell students that for each whole number, they should set aside five balls. To make the three, students should have 15 balls. The remaining 1/5 would be one ball. The exercise can help students visualize the units of the fraction. At the end, the number of balls is equal to the numerator.

Make Fraction Strips

Fraction strips help students see the parts and the whole for each mixed number very easily. Give students strips of paper and ask them to cut the strips into the fractions you will be using, such as thirds. Students should leave one strip uncut as reference. Give them a number, such as 3 2/3, and ask them to lay out the number of fractions needed to form the number. For each whole number, they should lay out three fractions next to the model strip. At the end, they count up the number of pieces to create the improper fraction.

Roll Dice

Once students have become more comfortable with fractions, they can start experimenting with more variations. Provide students with a pair of dice and ask them to put together fractions based on the numbers they roll. For example, if they roll a 6 and a 5, the fraction would be 6/5. Ask them to then write the mixed number for that fraction, or 1 1/5. Provide three dice to create mixed numbers. The first number would be the whole number, and the next two would be the fraction, such as 6 1/4. Then ask students to convert the mixed number to the improper fraction.

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About the Author

Maria Magher has been working as a professional writer since 2001. She has worked as an ESL teacher, a freshman composition teacher and an education reporter, writing for regional newspapers and online publications. She has written about parenting for Pampers and other websites. She has a Master's degree in English and creative writing.